Wolf whistling to be classed as a 'hate crime'

Wolf whistlers could face arrest after a police force revealed it will be treated as a “hate crime”.

Nottinghamshire police has become the first in the UK to record misogyny offences as it aims to crackdown on sexist abuse.

Under the new rules, wolf whistling, harassment and unwanted sexual advances can now be reported as hate crimes.

Chief Constable Sue Fish told the BBC the policy was designed to make the area safer for women.

She said: “What women face, often on a daily basis, is absolutely unacceptable and can be extremely distressing.

“Nottinghamshire Police is committed to taking misogynistic hate crime seriously and encourages anyone who is affected by it to contact us without hesitation.”

Melanie Jeffs, the manager at Nottingham Women’s Centre, said the new system would allow police to target areas where misogyny is rife.